KINETIC-TURBIDIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF STACHYOSE BASED ON ITS INHIBITORY-ACTION ON SUCROSE CRYSTALLIZATION

The effects of 9 saccharides on the crystallization of sucrose have be en comparatively studied with analytical purposes. A sensitive (detect ion limit 0.1 mu g mL(-1)) and simple kinetic turbidimetric procedure is used for determination of stachyose, based on its inhibitory action on the crystallization of sucrose. The supersaturated solutions of su crose were prepared by addition of acetone to stable water sucrose sol utions. The induction period of the crystallization process was turbid imetircally measured. Controlled constant stirring and temperature are convenient in order to obtain reproducible results. The method was ap plied to the determination of stachyose in synthetic mixtures.